Article Posted on : - Jul 27, 2009

An official photo of Cheetah helicopter. Cheetal is an improved version of Cheetah manufactured by HAL.

BANGALORE (BNS): Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has delivered the first batch of four Cheetal helicopters to the Indian Air Force.

�The IAF had placed an order for 10 Cheetals, of which the first batch of four has been delivered. The remaining are expected to be handed over by September,� R Srinivasan, MD (helicopter complex), HAL, was quoted as saying by The Times of India.

Cheetal is the re-engined Cheetah helicopter in which the Artouste IIIB has been replaced with the TM333-2M2 engine. The reduced weight of TM 333-2M2 with better specific fuel consumption has resulted in increased range, endurance and payload, thereby making the chopper more versatile, the report said.

HAL is expecting similar orders from the Army and also from the Government of India, which is planning to procure helicopters for internal security, Srinivasan said.

N C Agarwal, director (design and development), handed over the helicopters on Saturday to Air Vice -Marshal M Bahadur, assistant chief of air staff, IAF.

�The Cheetals will increase our operational capabilities, especially for high altitude operations. We have faith in HAL and hope it will continue to deliver and provide product support,� Bahadur said.